Print processing machine



July 22, 1952 B. E. LUBOSHEZ 2,604,024

PRINT PROCESSING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1949 BENJAMIN E .I UBOSHEZ 2 .QIB'g'ENTOR I BY a;

A TORNEYS Patented July 22, 1952 PRINT'PROCESSING'MACHINE' Benjamin E. Luboshez, Rochester, N. Y. assignor v to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New J ersey" .1

Application July 16, 1949, Serial "No. 105,201 r I 1 The present'invention and more particularly to a print processing machine.

The present invention is embodied, in the present instance, and by way of illustration only,

in a processing machine of a two -solution type primarily, although not necessarily, intended for use in the office or home where the utmost simplicity and ease of operation, as well as freedom from contamination of hands and furniture, are primary requisites. These requisites are achieved by providing the processing liquids or solutions in sealed containers which are opened and effective only during the period when they are in use, and which are closed again automatically immediately thereafter. These containers are easily loaded into position, and may be removed for refilling and occasional cleaning. At the same time, the sealed containers enable the processing solutions to be kept for fairlylong periods without spoiling when the machine is not in regular use. A special blotting and/or wiping device contributes to the cleanliness and ease of operation.

The machine is simple to operate, and occupies A still further object of the invention isthe,

provision of a machine of the class described in which-the processing solutions are retained in sealed containers until ready for use; and, after use, the containers are immediately and automatically sealed.

Yet another object of the invention is the pro- 5 Claims. (01. 95- -89) I relates to photography,

, Fig. 2 is aside elevation view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1, but on a larger scale than the latter and with one side wall removed, showing the relation of the parts and with one liquid container in applying relation with the printcarrying drum;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the other liquid container in liquid-applying rev lation with the drum; and y Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the liquid containers, showing the relation thereto of the liquid-applying roller, and the means for moving the roller to sealing relation when the container is not in use.

- Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

The print processing machine of the present invention-comprisesa rectangular box or housing ll having a rounded lid or cover It hinged at l3 to the upper edge M-of the housing- A handle I5 is providedfor moving the lid about its hinge l3 to provide access to the interior of the container.

A print-carrying drum I6 is carried by a shaft l1 resting in bearings, not shown, the lower 1 halves of which-are carried-by the edge l4, while vision of a machine of the class described in which the containers are moved selectively into operative position to apply the proper processing solution to the paper print.

-And another object of the invention is the provision in such a machine of a replenishable wiping device for removing any excess processing solutions.

And yet another object of the invention is the provision of a processing machine which is simple in construction, made of few parts of rugged construction, easy to operate even with unskilled help, cheap to build and highly effective in use.

To these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of the print processingmachine of the presentinvention;

the upper halves are carried bythe cover l2 so that when the latter is open, the drum l'figwith its shaft 11 may be lifted, as a unit, out of the housing H, .as is deemed apparent. The shaft l1;

. outside the housing H, is providedwith a han-' dle [8 by which the drum may be rotated for reasons to be later described.

The'print 2| to be processed is attached, face outward, to the drum i6 by means of a stainless steel clip 22 which fits snugly into the drum sur face and ofiers a minimumof obstruction. This clip holds the print by its leading edge, and the opposite .or trailing edge of the paper print is left free so as to allow for any stretching'that might take place during processing. However, if desired, the trailing end'may also be clipped to the drum, but in such an event'a spring device must be provided to take up any stretch and to pull the paper taut. However, the single strip is preferred, and the double clip is not necessary if the drum is always rotated in the proper direc tion. A pawl and ratchet, not shown, may be pro vided for preventing improper rotation of the drum. As such pawl and ratchet devices are well known and formno part of the presentinvention, details thereof are not deemed necessary.

' During the attaching of the print 2| to the drum handle l5.

because only a few inches must be used with each print.

It is to be noted that since the wiper web 50 passes over all of the part of the drum, the latter is always clean, and there is small likelihood of any solution creeping under the edge of the print. Prints of any size, up to the drum circumference, may be processed without contamination of the drum, although with small prints there will neeessarily be a relative waste of processing solutions. The device is very flexible, and is easily adapted to the needs of various processing systems. The wiper device may be brought in and out of action at any stage in the proceeding merely by positioning the cover l2.

For final drying of the print, the rocking lever 24 is moved to its neutral position, as shown dotted in Fig. 2, and the drum It may be rotated a few times to remove surplus moisture or solutions. The print is then suiiiciently dry for most purposes since at no stage in the processing does it become wet enough for the paper to absorb much liquid. However, where extra complications are warranted, heating arrangements in the form of infrared lamps or similar devices may be positioned adjacent to the drum.

The present invention thus provides a print processing machine which is simple in construction, easy to operate, and in which the processing solutions are retained in sealed containers until ready for use, at which time the containers may be moved selectively into operativ position. The processed prints are easily and quickly dried before removal from the machine. Furthermore, when the liquid containers are moved to an inoperative position they are automatically and completely sealed until again used.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A print processing machine comprisin in combination, a housing, a print-carrying drum rotatably mounted in said housing, means for securing a print to be processed to said drum for movement therewith, means for applying a processing liquid to said print, a wiping device curing a print to be processed to said drum for movement therewith, means for applying a processing liquid to said print, a wiping device comprising a renewable web of absorbent material engaging said drum to remove excess processing liquid, and means controlled by said drum for imparting intermittent movement to said device to present clean portions of the latter to said drum.

3. A print processing machine comprising, in combination, a housing, a print-carrying roller rotatably mounted insaid housing, means for securing a print to be processed to said drum for movement therewith, means for applying a processing liquid to said print, a wiping device comprisin a web of absorbent material engaging said drum to remove excess processing liquid, and means controlled by the rotation of said drum to move said web progressively to bring unused portions of said web into contact with said drum.

4. A print processing machine comprising, in combination, a housing, a print-carrying roller rotatably mounted in said housing, means for securing a print to be processed to said drum for movement therewith, means for applying a processing liquid to said print, a wiping device comprising a web of absorbent material engaging said drum to remove excess processing liquid, means controlled by the rotation of said drum to move said web progressively automatically to bring unused portions of said web into contact with said drum, and separate manual means for moving said web.

5. A print processing machine comprising, in combination, a housing, a print-carrying drum rotatably mounted in said housing, means for securing a print to said drum for movement therewith, a shaft rockably mounted in said housing, a liquid applying member mounted on said shaft, means for rocking said shaft to move selectively said member into engagement withsaid drum to apply a processing liquid to said print, a web of absorbent material engaging said drum to remove excess processing liquid therefrom, and means controlled by said drum to advance said web to position an unused portion of the web in contact with said drum.

BENJAMIN E. LUBOSI-IEZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 591,933 Root Oct. 19, 1897 861,353 Brock July 30, 1907 1,169,096 Thornton Jan. 18, 1916 1,400,273 Enright Dec. 13, 1921 1,487,375 Fuchs Mar. 18, 1924 1,987,387 Conklin Jan. 8, 1935 2,142,318 Langsner Jan. 3, 1939 2,241,104 Van Der Grinten May 6, 1941 2,496,947 Luboshez Feb. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 469,015 Great Britain July 12, 1937 878,101 France Sept. 28, 1942 

